Exploited in Kashmir, Young Journos make it to Outside State

 Qayoom Shiekh

On a bright sunny day at Pratap Park, the mood of the gathering is serious. This time Shubnam (name changed) is not in a jolly mood as she used to be in university days. She along with her batch mates is discussing life ahead, seriously.

 

A mass communication pass out, Shabnum tried at different media organizations in Kashmir. However, she could not stay long. She has to either work without bugs or was paid low. She could hardly manage things.

 

The group which met under the shades of chinar trees was planning to move outside the state to earn some bucks.

 

                                  

Most of the students in Kashmir plunge into field of journalism after being moved by the conflict by one way or the other. They want to write about people who have been the victims of violence from more than two decades. However, being paid low or what they say ‘exploited’ by media organizations,they change their tastes.

 

“We should move outside. Here they pay nothing. They say just work it will help you in gaining experience,” Shabnum told her mates.

 

With consent from other batch mates, the group is planning to leave for Delhi.

“At present we don’t know what type of job we will get. But, we must be hopeful for a better future,” a visibly fierce Shabnum encourages other journalism pass outs.

 

Leaving for Delhi may be a concern that too when Delhi is becoming more insecure for the girls. Number of rape cases including the dreaded incident of December 16 2012, where a 23-year girl was gang raped and inflicted upon serious injuries and later she died of the gruesome incident.

 

“I want to do something good for my parents. I will give my cent percent to maintain their dignity and respect,” Shabnum said.

 

Number of journos who have studied Journalism in the valley varsity, University of Kashmir are working with different media organizations in Delhi.

 

Harris Zargar, pass out of MERC, University of Kashmir joined PTI, Delhi in 2011 soon after he completed his degree.

 

After working with PTI for two years, HarisZargarwas recently taken by IANS as special correspondent.

 

“Opting for journalism was a conscious decision; certainly due to happenings around me. I always believed i could contribute substantially through my writing about Kashmir ,” Zargar said.

 

Zargar said that he moved to work outside because of the Kashmir media’s inability to reach beyond Jawahar Tunnel.

 

“Although many people are doing well in Kashmir individually. But there is not a single major media house in the valley whose voice reach out beyond Banihal tunnel,” Zargar adds.

 

Three Universities, University of Kashmir, Central University Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora are teaching journalism at masters’ level. While Government Degree College Baramulla (Boys) and Government College for Women, MA Road Srinagar impart journalism training at undergraduate level.

 

According to Registrar of Newspapers of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 988 daily, weekly, for and monthly newspapers and magazines.

 

Experts believe that the trend will create peculiar situation and lead to brain-drain of media professionals.

“Media is the only field where non-locals still have not cast their shadow. However, if native journalists for reasons of being paid low or other thing move outside, it will keep space open for non-locals. This will create a peculiar situation. It is imperative that local journalists work here. They know the situations well,” says Nasir Mirza who teaches at Media Education Research centre, University of Kashmir.

 

Mirza said that aim of setting media institute was to strengthen media establishment in Kashmir.

“We provide better training to young journos. The aim is to make them in a better position to serve society with zeal and commitment.”

 

Mirza voiced that it unfortunate that these young journos do not get what they have imagined and they are forced by circumstances to look for other avenues.

“They do not get better salary or perks. Sometimes they are made to work without a penny for months. Media owners should shun this approach. They should accommodate these budding journalists at all levels,” Mirza added.

Many media professionals who cover Kashmir from so many years suggest young journos to work outside state to earn better living.

 

“A teacher who has a same degree that of a mass comm people gets at 20,000 a month. The journalist is paid 4000 rupees. How can he manage things,” senior journalist of valley wishing not to named voiced his concern.

He said that media in Kashmir is in infancy stage and there are no such big organizations where these young men can excel.

 

“I think those who move outside do justice with profession of Journalism. They will work with professionals , at the same time will earn good living,” He said.

 

In Shubnam’s group, five people have already moved outside. Although, it has been little time, they are doing well there. Other members have same plans to move out as soon as possible.